A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Rotterdam vs. Phoenix for Nightlife, Families, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Rotterdam or Phoenix?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Rotterdam and Phoenix. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a high energy, modern, and trendy port city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a laid back, sprawling, and desert city. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping.

Rotterdam and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Phoenix?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Rotterdam than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than Rotterdam, Rotterdam has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Rotterdam is very popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Phoenix attracts visitors for its hiking. Rotterdam is famous for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall. It is also well known for The Cube Houses. Phoenix is famous for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

The Cube Houses

How is Rotterdam different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Phoenix and Rotterdam. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Rotterdam or Phoenix?

You'll find a number of nice museums and attractions in both Phoenix and Rotterdam.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Rotterdam. Although many of the historic buildings around town were destroyed during World War II, there are still a number of sights worth checking out. Head to the Old Harbor and Marine Museums, the Museum Boijmans-van Beuningen, or the Wereldmuseum to see some interesting places.

Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

Is the Food Better in Rotterdam or Phoenix? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Rotterdam and Phoenix can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

Rotterdam is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The city's restaurant scene is diverse. There are ethnic restaurants, vegan restaurants, local restaurants, and some popular chains.

Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Rotterdam or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

Rotterdam is a great port city for its evening party scene. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Rotterdam has something for everybody. It is a trendy city with an active nightlife. You can relax with a beer or hit up one of the clubs around town. Popular options are Club Vibes, Toffler, and Club Vie.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Rotterdam or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is a good destination for hiking. However, Rotterdam is not a hiking destination.

Phoenix offers some nice hiking trails. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Rotterdam is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Phoenix?

Rotterdam is a great port city for its shopping areas. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Rotterdam. You'll find fashion and clothing shops in the area around Lijnbaan and Beurstraverse. This is also where you'll find the shopping mall of Bijenkorf.

Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Rotterdam or Phoenix Better for Families?

Rotterdam is a great port city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Rotterdam. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Rotterdam or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Rotterdam and Phoenix both nice destinations for a couple.

Rotterdam is a good port city for couples to visit. It is a modern city with good restaurants and some fun activities.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Rotterdam or Phoenix Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotterdam is a port city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known for backpackers.

Rotterdam is a good port city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town as well as a good nightlife that appeals to backpackers.

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

Is Rotterdam or Phoenix Better for Students?

Rotterdam is a great port city for its student-friendly activities. However, Phoenix is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Rotterdam. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.

Phoenix is not popular with students.

Is Rotterdam or Phoenix Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Rotterdam is a great port city for times when you don't have a car. However, Phoenix is not known for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Rotterdam. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

Public transit is generally limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Rotterdam or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Rotterdam is a great port city for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.

Rotterdam is a very walkable destination. There are broad streets with wide sidewalks that are pedestrian friendly.

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

For even more information, also check out Is Rotterdam Worth Visiting? and Is Phoenix Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Phoenix?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Rotterdam and Phoenix. In our opinion, Rotterdam has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Rotterdam than Phoenix. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Rotterdam than Phoenix. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Rotterdam, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Rotterdam than Phoenix. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Rotterdam that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rotterdam than Phoenix if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Rotterdam.

One day in Rotterdam or Phoenix?

Because Rotterdam is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This port city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Phoenix. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Phoenix has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Rotterdam or Phoenix?

Because Rotterdam is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Rotterdam has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the desert destination of Phoenix. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Rotterdam or Phoenix?

Rotterdam is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back city of Phoenix. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Rotterdam or Phoenix?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rotterdam. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Rotterdam. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Phoenix is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best River Cruises from Amsterdam, The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rotterdam and Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix is more expensive. And not only is Rotterdam much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rotterdam is in Europe and Phoenix is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Rotterdam would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rotterdam and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Phoenix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phoenix than you might in Rotterdam.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rotterdam Expensive? and Is Phoenix Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Rotterdam. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam and Phoenix, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Rotterdam or Phoenix?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Phoenix in the Summer?

Both Phoenix and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Rotterdam for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

The heat can be very extreme in Phoenix. Rotterdam is much colder than Phoenix in the summer. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rotterdam. Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during summer. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Phoenix in the Autumn?

Both Phoenix and Rotterdam during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.

In the autumn, Rotterdam is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rotterdam in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Phoenix averages at about 79°F (26°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Rotterdam gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in October than Phoenix. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Phoenix in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Phoenix. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Phoenix for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Rotterdam in the winter. In January, Rotterdam is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 2°C (36°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during winter. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Phoenix in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Phoenix. Many travelers come to Rotterdam for the activities around the city.

Rotterdam is much colder than Phoenix in the spring. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. In the spring, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Rotterdam gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in April than Phoenix. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Rotterdam